Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
and, after somc parIonable rmmblinu

, station at some forty yards distance
AS be did so he caught the rough, per
. suasive tones Of his late companion
Really, now, YOU had better take my
r arm; we shall get on first rate"
The door Of q iirst-class carriage was
swinging open, and standing before IT,
so directly in his path that Challoner
almost fell over him--was the young
gentleman who had vaunted his apprc-
citation OF feminine beauty. Naturally
Challoner's glance followed bis, and
although he could not distinguish the
lady's features he was becoming dimly
conscious that the brown velvet coat
was strangely familiar. when she spoke
few words in tone which sent the
blood rapidly coursing through his
veins /" hank you ! will not trouble
you my maid is with me-"
Madge's voice Challoner dropped
his rugs, scrambled up on to the foot
board, and held out his arms "Come
down ut once !" he cried authoritative
ly. alt may not be safe for you TO
stay there. Jump, and I'll catch you.
May trouble you TO get out of the
way, sir This lady is my WIFE,"
Madge flung herself instantly into
the outsiretched arms and burst into
hysterical sobbing. "Oh, John, John,
l have been so cold and so frightened.
And the light in our carriage went out,
and I thought something might happen
to the train and hurt you.
"Why, Madge?"
Never before had Challoner seen his
wife so thoroughly unhinged and fright
ened, and his. heart gave great leap as
he echoed her last words "Hurt me?
Of'course not. But how came you to
be travelling to town? Why didn't You
stay in Edinburgh? Do you think you
have taken cold ?" He asked the
questions all in breath; but when she
began explaining that she wanted to
spend Christmas in town with her aunt
he hastily cut her short.
"There is no time to talk we must
get on to the station. Parker this to
the maid, follow me closely, and try to
walk in my footsteps. L shall carry
your mistress the snow is too deep for
her."
While speaking he took the trem-
bling girl in his arms and began slowly
plodding along in the direction the
guard had indicated OF course it was
only chance meeting, and Challoner
was too free from superstition to look
on it as anything else, but even while
he was reminding himself that it was a
terrible pity they had met-that their
tempers were wholly incompatible
and that it would be misery to live
again through the last few months, he
was still holding the girl very closely
and tenderly, and wishing in spite OF
himself that the distance could be
doubled.
When they reached the little country
station they found it to be better pro-
vided with shelter than is usually the
case, and though there was only one
man in charge, he was sensible, good |
natured individual, who did his best |
for the poor travellers thus thrown upon
his hands. Either the sight of Madge's |
white chidlike face or the pleasant as
surance that the gentleman would make |
it worth his while induced him to open |
little box of a room, which appeared |
to lie his especial property, and to mo-
tion to Challoner to enter.
"Your lady will be more comfortable
there, sir, than in the big room along o
the third class passengers and ALL" he |
suggested and as neither husband nor
wife could think of sufficient excuse
for prefcrring the company of their fell
low-travellers, they were obliged to fol-
low the mans lead.
4" will not intrude upon your priva-
cy," said Challoner stiffly, as soon as
the station-koeper had left them alone.
You and Parker will be quite comfort
able here, and will soon get warm by
the fire."
Madge watched his broad form dis
appear through the doorway with a
sinking heart "He hates to be with
ne even for these few minutes" ran
her thoughts "and yet, with piteous
little culver of her lips, "Oh how de-
licious it was to be held in his arms
If he had held me like that oftener we
shouldn't be hating each other to-day
If he had but kissed me in the snow !"
The dismal train of thought was sud
denly broken by the discovery that one
Of her trinkets was missing, and Mrs
Challoner was instantly on her knees.
90 Come and help me look for it,
Parker" she cried. 81 have lost my
ocket. Oh, what shall do? l have
lost my locket."
The excitement both of mistress and
maid seemed considerably more than
.he occasion required but only Madge
herself and the faithful woman who
nursed her as n child knew of the seri-
BUS trouble such loss would entail
"Could you have dropped it outside,
na'am 2"
"Not possible. The chain couldn't
latch on anything when had my cloak
No; it must be on the floor.
Do look for it, Parker"
And look for it they did, but without
and when the long, fruitless
search was over the expression on the
girls face was very woe-begone indeed.
1.-THE mistress has lost her gold
ocket," whispered Parker when John
Challoner came again to the door. cts
ny belief, sir, that she dropped it on
he floor of the carriage. Can't you
end somebody after it, sir 2"
"What locket 2"
"The little gold one she always wears
ound her neck" explained the maid,
ePardless of the urgent Parker! You
ire not to trouble Mr.. Challoner,"
which came from behind her. "She
s fonder of it than anything else, sir
t seems pity it should be lost" !
Parker again broke in the pretty
,irhsh voice, 81 desire that you will {
lot trouble Mr. Challoner."
The mans lips twitched involuntari- I
Y. IT seemed to him that his young
wife was only playing at dignity when
he preferred addressing her remarks @
o him through the medium of a SER S
ant. q
Don't be so foolish" he said J
'eremptorily. "Of course I'll go af-
er your locket. / only came back to o
ell you that am afraid you will have
0 spend several hours here. The snow r
las broken down the telegraph wires +
o that the men can't send on a mes s
age to the next place for assistance. s
hey must wait until this storm is over,
nd then get help from the village to s
ig out the train and clear the lines. S
'ut OF course it will be the work OF h
oo1 ,,oonx, hor.c =,